story by Naomi Loomis, WSRRA Association Representative
The seventh-annual Western States Ranch Rodeo Association National Finals, held November 3 – November 6, 2016, at the Winnemucca Events Complex in Winnemucca, Nevada, showcased the talents of fifteen women’s teams. They competed for prizes that included Gist buckles, custom made gear made by Ricardo’s Saddlery and John and Kristen Mincer of Mincer Silversmiths, halters, stirrups by Weber Stirrups, and custom made hats donated by Chaz Mitchell Hatz.
Each four-woman team competed in Sort and Rope Doctoring, Load and Tie, Team Branding and one member of each team then showed in the Working Ranch Horse class. Working as a team was critical to success as each event was timed and the action was fast and furious. At the end of the long go on Thursday, the top five women’s teams then came back on Sunday for the short go.
Carmen Buckingham, Katie McFarlane, Kayla Tiegs and Bailey Bachman of the Miller Livestock Solutions sponsored team are the 2016 WSRRA Women’s World Champions. These four cowgirls are all highly talented horsewomen who love the sport of rodeo. They qualified for the WSRRA Finals in 2016 by winning the Winnemucca Women’s Ranch Rodeo. “Women’s ranch rodeo is a great event where strategy, teamwork, and good horses are a must. I felt very lucky to be teamed up with those handy ladies….it really came all together for us at the Finals,” Carmen said.
Carmen Buckingham, from Bruneau, Idaho, was the Miller Livestock captain. She is a rancher and a horse trainer who has qualified for the WSRRA finals three times. “Well, I did the paper work for the final, so I just put myself down to be the captain,” she laughed. Miller Livestock is a business in Bruneau, Idaho, that sells livestock supplies and equipment. The Millers are a ranching family that really appreciates good horses, good ropers, and good stockmanship.
Katie McFarlene grew up in Jordan Valley, but now makes her home in Homedale, Idaho. Her husband, Jerad, their three kids, Sloan, Trey, Trell, and Katie also make a living training horses. “Ranch rodeos have been a fun family thing for us for several years, but it was usually to watch my husband, or be a steer stopper on their team! Needless to say, I was excited when Marc Page decided to bring women’s teams to the finals! This year the competition was amazing! Great horses and handy gals that work together is what it takes to be world champions,” stated Katie.
Kayla Tiegs, who lives in Melba, Idaho, makes her living riding colts and rodeoing too. “As a first year member of the WSRRA, I was excited to have qualified with such an amazing team. The three other ladies are the true definition of cowgirl: handy, tough, and great horsewomen. Every team was so tough and fun to watch. The WSRRA finals was an awesome experience,” said Kayla.
Bailey Bachman lives in Bruneau, Idaho and trains colts like the rest of her teammates.
“It was a nail biter getting into the finals. There were some really great teams, and the competition was neck and neck the whole way. I am thankful for my handy teammates working together as well as they did. It was a really fun rodeo!” exclaimed Bailey.
The WSRRA National Finals in Winnemucca, Nevada is an entertaining demonstration of traditional cowgirl skills. The contestants showcase their talents and abilities and those of their horses in authentic ranch events replicated in a competition setting. “Ranch rodeo really promotes team spirit because if you don’t work together, you probably won’t do well,” stated Carmen. “I am very proud to win this year because ranch rodeo competitors are usually men, and it really shows that there are a lot of really handy women too,” adds Carmen.”
These outstanding women are a shining example of the fact that the women’s division of the WSRRA can compete in and expand the sport of ranch rodeo. Women throughout the thirteen western states that host WSRRA sanctioned events are urged to get a team together and “Go for it,” in 2017! Check out http://www.wsrra.org for more information.
On behalf of the WSRRA, Congratulations Ladies!!
